70% of digital transformations fail due to resistance to change (McKinsey & Company). As industries evolve and customer expectations shift, businesses must adapt swiftly. However, despite recognising agility as a priority, only 27% of executives believe their organisation is highly Agile (Forbes; PDF).
Many organisations attempt Agile adoption, but struggle to scale it beyond IT. While Scrum helps teams deliver projects more efficiently, it does not address the enterprise-wide transformation needed for agility at scale. This is where AgileSHIFT and Scrum serve distinct but complementary roles.
AgileSHIFT: A Framework for Enterprise-Wide Agility
Traditional Agile frameworks such as Scrum focus on improving individual team performance, but AgileSHIFT extends Agile across an entire organisation.
How AgileSHIFT Works
AgileSHIFT is designed for business functions beyond IT, helping HR, Finance, Legal, and Operations apply Agile ways of working. Its core principles include:
- Customer-Centric Decision-Making – Aligning priorities with evolving customer needs.
- Lean Thinking – Identifying and eliminating inefficiencies.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration – Breaking down silos to create alignment across teams.
Who Benefits from AgileSHIFT?
AgileSHIFT is particularly valuable for:
- Business transformation leaders aiming to drive agility beyond IT.
- Executives and department heads responsible for strategic decision-making.
- Enterprise architects focused on aligning Agile methodologies with business objectives.
By embedding Agile at an organisational level, AgileSHIFT bridges the gap between executive strategy and Agile execution.
Scrum: The Most Widely Used Framework for Teams
Scrum is the most widely adopted Agile framework, with 63% of Agile teams using it (State of Agile Report 2023; PDF). It is particularly effective for team-level project management, allowing groups to break work into shorter, iterative cycles to achieve continuous improvement.
How Scrum Works
Scrum is structured around three core roles:
- Product Owner – Defines the product vision and priorities.
- Scrum Master – Facilitates Agile processes and removes obstacles.
- Development Team – Executes work in short, focused iterations.
Scrum’s Core Workflow
Scrum operates in time-boxed iterations, or sprints, typically lasting one to four weeks. Each sprint follows a structured cycle:
- Sprint Planning – Defining the work to be completed.
- Daily Stand-ups – Quick updates to ensure alignment.
- Sprint Review – Evaluating completed work.
- Sprint Retrospective – Identifying opportunities for improvement.
Scrum enhances efficiency, adaptability, and team collaboration, making it a popular framework for Agile teams. However, Scrum alone does not address the broader organisational challenges AgileSHIFT is designed to solve.
AgileSHIFT vs Scrum: Which One Does Your Business Need?
While AgileSHIFT and Scrum share Agile principles, they serve different purposes within an organisation.
| Aspect | AgileSHIFT | Scrum |
| Scope | Organisation-wide agility | Team-level Agile execution |
| Who Uses It? | HR, Finance, Legal, IT, and Operations | Software, product, and Agile teams |
| Focus | Cultural transformation & leadership agility | Iterative development & project execution |
| Key Benefits | Aligns entire organisation to Agile ways of working | Improves speed, efficiency, and collaboration |
When to Use AgileSHIFT vs Scrum
Choose AgileSHIFT if:
- Your organisation requires an enterprise-wide Agile transformation.
- Business functions beyond IT need agility training.
- Leadership wants a structured approach to cultural change.
Choose Scrum if:
- You need team-level Agile execution.
- Your focus is software or product development.
- You work in an Agile project environment.
For many businesses, AgileSHIFT and Scrum complement each other. AgileSHIFT enables strategic agility, while Scrum ensures tactical execution at the team level.
Agile Certification with EA Learning
To implement Agile effectively, professionals and businesses require specialist training. EA Learning offers an accredited AgileSHIFT certification course that equips professionals with the expertise needed to drive business agility.
Why Train with EA Learning?
- Industry-Recognised Accreditation – this course is accredited by PeopleCert, ensuring global recognition.
- Expert Instructors – Learn from experienced professionals who have implemented Agile at scale.
- Flexible Learning Format – This self-paced eLearning offers 14+ hours of coursework, available for 6 months.
Other Agile Training Courses
- Agile Programme Management (AgilePgM®) – for an understanding of the fundamentals, preparing you for Agile program management environments.
- Agile Project Management (AgilePM®) – the leading framework for Agile project management.
- PRINCE2 Agile® Foundation & Practitioner – covers the structured PRINCE2® methodology with the dynamic Agile® approach.
Investing in Agile certification provides professionals with the skills and credentials to lead Agile transformation in their organisation.
Take the Next Step Towards Agile
Whether you need to scale agility across your entire organisation with AgileSHIFT or enhance team performance with Scrum, the right training will equip you with the expertise to lead Agile transformation. Explore our Agile Courses and register today to get started.urther.
